AUSTIN, Texas – The city of Austin is giving a visual update on its Cap and Stitch program. The project is part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s expansion of I-35.

The city says the project is aimed at creating public spaces over the highway.

TxDOT held a groundbreaking ceremony on the I-35 Capital Express Central Project last month.

The project will lower the highway’s main lanes between Lady Bird Lake and Airport Boulevard.

The city of Austin plans to add caps and stitches to the project to create more public spaces and bridge the East and West sides of town.

“The key intent is really to document what we have been hearing from residents and community members over the past two-ish years of our outreach in regard to Austinites’ desired outcomes for the city’s cap and stitch effort,” says Transportation Public Works transportation officer Michelle Marx.

Residents were surveyed at several open houses from the months of May through August. A new draft of the vision plan was presented in front of the mobility committee on Thursday.

“The vision plan does start by articulating where Cap and Stitches are going to be possible in Austin and those are the locations you are seeing on your map here in blue. We do also identify where The University of Texas is evaluating opportunities outside the city’s efforts,” says Marx.

According to the city, the Caps and Stitches could create up to 25 acres of public space, stretching from Holly Street to Airport Boulevard, which should include large trees, shade, lighting, public art, walking and bicycle paths, landscaping and micromobility hubs.

“A wide array of open space, park-like features as well as buildings in some, if not many locations,” says Michelle Marx.

The city says the buildings will be limited to two stories. The spaces will be used for recreational activities.

But the Caps and Stitches must meet certain guidelines.

“The real driving factor for that is the requirement that TxDOT has provided us is that we provide a minimum of 16 and a half feet of vertical clearance from the roadway surface at any highway or on and off ramp locations to any kind of deck,” says Michelle Marx.

The concepts and plans were split into five phases, according to the draft provided.

“TxDOT will be constructing the structural elements on our behalf. They will be city funded but constructed in conjunction with the project, so TxDOT will be breaking ground in approximately mid-26. They are scheduled for substantial completion in approximately 2032, so any city funded cap features that we fold into their scope we are looking at about a 2032 completion date,” says Marx.

There will be another meeting next to discuss the next steps in the process and the funding.  

Philadelphia safety Reed Blankenship made two possession-ending plays in the fourth quarter as the Eagles rallied for a 26-18 victory over the Washington Commanders on Thursday night.

Philadelphia trailed 10-3 after Washington opened the third quarter with a field goal. But the Eagles maintained their hold on the top spot in the NFC East by scoring on their four full second-half possessions, including three fourth-quarter touchdowns.

After Philadelphia took a 12-10 lead with 12:00 to play, Washington went for it on fourth-and-2 at the Eagles 26-yard line rather than have up-from-the-practice-squad kicker Zane Gonzalez try a 44-yard field goal to take the lead, even though he’d already connected from 45.

Blankenship and linebacker Zach Braun tackled quarterback Jayden Daniels for no gain to end the series.

The Eagles offense ripped down the field in five plays for another touchdown, and on the Commanders’ first snap after the TD, Blankenship intercepted Daniels at the Washington 46-yard line.

This time, it took only two snaps for Philadelphia to get running back Saquon Barkley into the end zone again for a 26-10 lead with 4:38 remaining.

Barkley ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries and caught two passes for 52 yards.

In addition to his second interception of the season and seventh of his career, Blankenship made 10 tackles against Washington.

Blankenship is a former West Limestone High School standout. During the Washington-Philadelphia game, 13 more players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field:

• Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (Alabama) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
• Eagles cornerback James Bradberry (Pleasant Grove, Samford) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
• Landon Dickerson (Alabama) started at left guard for the Eagles. Dickerson limped off the field after the third snap, but he returned for Philadelphia’s second possession.
• Eagles offensive lineman Jack Driscoll (Auburn) did not record any stats.
• Eagles defensive end Bryce Huff (St. Paul’s Episcopal) recorded one tackle for loss.
• Jalen Hurts (Alabama) started at quarterback for the Eagles. Hurts completed 18-of-28 passes for 221 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions and ran for 39 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries. Hurts scored on a 1-yard sneak with 12:00 remaining as Philadelphia took a 12-10 lead.

• Noah Igbinoghene (Hewitt-Trussville, Auburn) started at cornerback for the Commanders. Igbinoghene made six tackles.
• Commanders defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (Alabama) made two tackles.
• Daron Payne (Shades Valley, Alabama) started at defensive tackle for the Commanders. Payne made three tackles.
• Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves (South Alabama) made two tackles on special teams.
• Eagles cornerback Eli Ricks (Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive.
• Brian Robinson Jr. (Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Alabama) started at running back for the Commanders. After missing two games because of a hamstring injury, Robinson ran for 63 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries and caught a 9-yard pass. Robinson scored the game’s first points on a 1-yard run with 3:26 left in the first quarter.

• Commanders offensive tackle Trent Scott (Lee-Huntsville) did not record any stats.
• DeVonta Smith (Alabama) started at wide receiver for the Eagles. Smith had four receptions for 29 yards.
• Eagles offensive lineman Tyler Steen (Alabama) did not record any stats.
• Eagles tight end C.J. Uzomah (Auburn) did not record any stats in his debut for the 2024 season. Philadelphia elevated Uzomah from its practice squad to make him eligible to play.
• Eagles defensive tackle Byron Young (Alabama) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

Washington (7-4) plays the Dallas Cowboys at noon CST Nov. 24 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.

Philadelphia (8-2) plays the Los Angeles Rams at 7:20 p.m. Nov. 24 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

The biggest storyline for Arkansas entering Saturday’s game against Texas is the health of their starting quarterback. Taylen Green went down with an injury against Ole Miss, nearly two weeks ago. Having a bye has certainly helped and now, Green is listed as probable per the latest injury report.

But in a world where Green cannot play, Malachi Singleton is the backup for Arkansas. Thankfully, there is a ton of confidence in Singleton from his head coach. Sam Pittman was impressed with what he did against Ole Miss after Green’s injury. If Arkansas has to play Singleton, there is “belief” in him.

“Great job of throwing the football,” Pittman said of Singleton’s performance vs. Ole Miss. “Throwing it early. Very accurate and ran over some people. Malachi played extremely well. We’re glad we have him and have a lot of belief in him when he goes in the game. That certainly helped.”

The snaps Singleton took were not too competitive as Ole Miss ran away with a 63-31 win. Even so, the stats back up what Pittman was saying. Singleton threw for 207 yards and a touchdown while completing 11 of 14 throws. Ground game was not too shabby either, having 44 yards and a score on just eight carries.

Before the Ole Miss game, Singleton’s last real stretch of play was in the opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He threw for 120 yards on 10 attempts and rushed for a touchdown.

Right now, the hope is for Green to be available for Saturday. The Texas game means a lot to the people of Fayetteville, just think about the scene there after the win back in 2021. Green has been Arkansas’ guy all season and will start if completely healthy.

Having a quality backup quarterback is a major plus in today’s college football, though. Singleton is more than capable of moving the ball well in Bobby Petrino‘s offense. The numbers from limited playing time this season show as such.